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Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins acknowledges the crowd at the start of the Eagles and New York Giants game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 30, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

At the start of last February, former NFL safety Brian Dawkins had one pretty awesome weekend. On February 3, Dawkins was one of eight individuals voted into the Football Hall of Fame for 2018. Dawkins joined other greats that included former NFL linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, as well as wide receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. The very next day, the Philadelphia Eagles, a team with whom Dawkins spent 13 seasons, won their first-ever world championship, defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Since leaving the game as a player, Dawkins has stayed close to the action, as an NFL analyst for ESPN and in administrative roles, as part of the Eagles' scouting and player development staff the last two seasons. Dawkins also recently signed on with telecommunications company Verizon, which has stepped up the effort to enrich and enhance the 2018 experience of football's biggest fans. Starting NFL Week 1 Verizon Up members can redeem tickets and experiences all season long, plus stream games live.

As a bonus, a handful of lucky football fans and Verizon Up members got access to exclusive meet-and-greets with players like Dawkins himself and former Eagles tight end Brent Celek, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime experience playing flag football with former Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham.

This week when I spoke to Dawkins by phone, the nine-time Pro Bowler and the man that coach Andy Reid once called "the heartbeat of the defense" said that he never thought about becoming a Philadelphia sports legend.

What makes the difference between being a good NFL player and one who makes the Hall of Fame?

I had never thought of the Hall of Fame when I was a player. Everything I've done, I've earned by keeping my head down, being as coachable as possible and trying to outwork everyone around me. It didn't change in college, and it didn't change when I got to the NFL. I still put my head down to learn my job and responsibilities and outplayed everyone I could -- not just to be the best at my position but to be the best, period. Especially in the weight room, I was always trying to push weight that linemen and linebackers were used to doing. I've always tried to increase in different areas of my life.

You spent a long time as a Philadelphia Eagle. What elevated this team to become a Super Bowl champion?

I was blessed to be involved and see Doug Pederson mature as a coach. His ability to hold guys accountable and speak to guys from the heart -- he's developed that mightily, from year one to year two. He's given players the ability to coach themselves, to own their version of what their jobs are, and to hold each other accountable. You don't win the Super Bowl if the coach is always the one who has to talk about what's going on, or what needs to happen. So, bringing in the right individuals and allowing them to grow to be the leaders they can be, getting through the tough times, asking tough questions, helps that team do what it did last year, and win the Super Bowl.

Where they are now, I believe the team is doing a lot of things behind the scenes that will allow the Eagles to be in the hunt for the Super Bowl for many years to come. But this will be a tough year.

How does being coachable lead to being a leader, especially in the NFL?

It started back in Pop Warner football, since my dad was really a stickler about being coachable, or "not being a knucklehead" as he called it. I never wanted the coach to go back to my dad and tell him that I was not listening or following instructions.

When I got to the Eagles I was blessed to be surrounded by guys who were great leaders, such as (longtime Eagles defensive back) Troy Vincent, learning under them. Once they left I stepped up a bit in the talking department. I didn't talk a whole lot, but I stepped up in leadership. I was trying to lead most of all with my work ethic. But before the NFL, it was a part of my DNA, and that's because of my pops.

Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and later with the Denver Broncos, Brian Dawkins saw plenty of time versus top QBs like Tom Brady. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Signing a franchise quarterback is a big deal for every NFL team. As a safety and defensive player, how do you think the last wave of dominant quarterbacks --such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers-- changed football?

It's always going to be a challenge (on defense) when you've got a guy like that. Players like (Brady) are very cerebral in their approach. And he's very competitive, using, I think, the fact that he was not drafted early. That gives him (laughs) a chip on his shoulder, I think, even to this day. You can see all those things play into the player that he is. Plus I think Brady is always looking to improve, no matter how much they have won. That's what I really appreciate about watching him.

But in a safety perspective, I think that's just part of what the league has done. The NFL has wanted to make the quarterback the premier position. The best way to get points on the board is to have good receivers and a leader that can really throw.

Frye has written previously for ESPN.com and covered sports for Rolling Stone. Follow his Twitter at @MySportsComplex